Think of this as a greatest hits collection from Thursday's thread. I'm only doing this because there's a lot to sift through, and I don't want these gems to get lost in the shuffle. I tried to stay away from the truly nasty/unusable ones (no matter how funny) and instead focus on lines Kerry can really use. Here they are (in any particular order)...
Wait until Bush uses the word flip-flopper and then say,
"George, you seem to think that you can avoid answering tough questions by calling me a flip-flopper. It's embarrassing. The American people are not going to prefer the empty rhetoric of a flip-flop to the harsh reality of your administration's record. Which has been, not a flip-flop, but just a FLOP. A giant FLOP."
-BooMan23
"FDR told us the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Your administration tells us time and time again that the only thing we have is fear."
-superdrew
"Mr. President, I voted to give you a loaded gun. I didn't vote to have you shoot us in the foot with it."
-Dumbo
"Mr. Bush, why has not one single terrorist behind the 9/11 attack been captured, tried and convicted in the 3 years you've had to get the job done?"
-xysrl
"Mr. President, will you take this chance, live on worldwide television, to apologize to those who were mistreated and tortured at Abu Ghraib?"
And if Bush declines or tries to weasel his way out of it:
"Once again, Mr. President, you choose to dodge your responsibility as a leader. America deserves better."
-loudGizmo
"George Bush tells us that the rising violence in Iraq is a sign that we are winning, because it shows how desperate the insurgents are. With each car bomb... each bit of new chaos... he tells us, 'Things must be getting better'. George Bush is using the death of Iraqi citizens and the death of our soldiers as his measuring stick of success in Iraq. When I am commander-in-Chief... for as long as we must have American soldiers on the ground... I will measure success only by the safety and well being of the Iraqi people as well as the men and women of our armed forces.
After all, how do you look into the eyes of a mother or father and tell them their child's death is a sign that things are getting better."
-JeffLieber
"Do you know that or are you just guessing?"
-willyr
"That's a nice fantasy world you live in, Mr President. But the rest of us live in the real world, where Osama bin Laden is at large and American soldiers are dying for your folly in Iraq."
-TGos
Harken back to Reagan debate...
"Are there more terrorists now than there were four years ago?"
-sherifffruitfly
"Are there more terrorits in Iraq than there were 4 years ago?"
-Carl Ballard
In response to any comparison to WWII:
"This is NOT World War II. We did not start World War II, and we did not botch World War II."
-Caj
"Mr, President, the only true flip flop is swearing to hunt down Osama bin Laden to the death and then pretending you don't even know who he is."
-Raybin
If Kerry doesn't say "That's not true" at least 5 times in the first debate, no one will remember a word he said.
-johnmorris
You know that snortlaugh Bush does when he's put on the spot? that dismissive one?
e.g. Q: Why haven't we caught al Zarqawi?
A: ...He hides. (snortlaugh)
Kerry should be ready for that.
"I can't imagine what Mr. Bush finds funny about that."
-Pyewacket
"We voted lock and load. We did not vote to commence fire."
-jexter
Rather than dinging Bush 41, quote the experienced and wise former president who when he had the chance explained the consequences of a failed occupation of Iraq, and then turn to W and say, "I wish you had followed your father's advice."
-seanflynn
After Bush brings up the crap about Kerry's vote on the $87 million Iraq bill, Kerry should turn to Bush and say "Mr. Bush, who sent our brave soldiers INTO Iraq without the necessary body armor?"
-IronyAbounds
In response to any comment by Bush that Democrats are obstructing the war on terror, that Kerry won't keep America safe, etc.:
"What you have just heard are the words of a divider, not a uniter."
Context permitting, Kerry can elaborate:
"You may recall that George Bush promised to govern as a uniter, not a divider. And after the 9/11 attacks, America was united, and the world was united with us, like never before. But Bush has completely squandered that unity. Divided the world against America by rushing into a unilateral war based on false premises. Divided America against itself by questioning the patriotism of those of us who criticize their policies. They even stooped to using the F-word on the floor of the U.S. Senate, and then wouldn't even apologize. The truth is, it would be hard to imagine a more divisive administration than this one. As President, I will work to rebuild trust between Democrats and Republicans, and work to regain the world's trust in America."
-jab